Race & Reconciliation Week will take place April 17-21 and feature several events, including TCU’s third annual Reconciliation Day. This particular installment is notable, as it coincides with the university’s 150th anniversary.
“I hope Horned Frogs walk away with a sense of pride in how far we’ve come as we recognize and work toward an even more inclusive future where we all feel valued as members of the Frog family,” said Amiso George, professor of strategic communication and chair of the Race & Reconciliation Initiative.
The theme of this year’s RRI Week is “Cause and Common Ground.” Events will include:
- A Screen on the Green event April 17 with a showing of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and Asian-inspired food
- Reconciliation Day April 19, when year-three findings of this initiative will be discussed and updated, based on recommendations from research. Food and entertainment will be provided
- The Fun Fair April 21, when the RRI committee and fraternities, sororities and other student groups welcome sixth to 12th grade students from local Boys & Girls Clubs to campus for a carnival-like event experience while learning about TCU.
“I particularly look forward to sharing with the university community highlights of the exciting historical research that we have been doing,” said George, “the kind that tells the stories of persons of different identities at TCU – the different shades of purple – that make us all Horned Frogs.”
The Plume Award
Also during the week, RRI will bestow its Plume Award, an annual honor to recognize and reconcile with individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to TCU and its goal of fostering a campus community that is welcoming for all, explained Karen Steele, professor of English and RRI team member.
“This year, RRI will award the Plume to the founding members of what is now the Native American and Indigenous Peoples Initiative, who have modeled for our campus positive ways to respect, support and incorporate Native Americans at TCU,” Steele said.
The 2023 honorees are Theresa Strouth Gaul, professor of English and director of TCU’s core curriculum; Scott Langston, religion instructor and liaison of Native American Nations and Communities; and Chebon Kernell (Seminole), executive director of the Native American comprehensive plan with the United Methodist Church. RRI will also recognize the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.
RRI Week is the signature event of RRI. The effort began in July 2020 with Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and TCU Board of Trustees instituting an academic endeavor that would examine TCU’s history with racism, slavery and the Confederacy. Read the first- and second-year reports, see the five-year plan, learn more, and get involved in RRI.